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L. KpJOHNSON & A. A. LOW.

TYPE DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS. No. 392,806. Patented Nov. 13, 1888.

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L. K. JOHN$ON & A. A. LOW.

TYPE DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS.

Patented Nov. 13, 1888.

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L. K. JOHNSON 8a A. A. LOW.

TYPE DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS.

No. 392,806. Patented Nov. 13, 1888.

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LOUIS K. JOHNSON AND A. AUGUSTUS LOW, OF BROOKLYN, ASSIGNORS TO THE ALDEN TYPE MACHINE COMPANY, OF NEXV YORK, N. Y.

TYPE DlSTRiBUTlNG APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 392,806, dated November 13 1888.

Application filed July 11, 1885. Renewed June 2, 1888. Serial No. 275,888. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, LOUIs K. JOHNSON and A. AUGUSTUS Low, citizens of the United States, residing in the city of Brooklymcounty 5 of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type-Distributing Apparatus,of which the following is a specification.

Our improvements relate to the class of type- IO distributing apparatus heretofore described and claimed by us, in which the types are dropped by hand into receiving-conduits,from which they are transferred to the type-containing channels for use in the setter by a 1 reciprocating comb pusher or forwarder.

One of the leading features of our present invention consists in the means employed for preventing backlash-i. 6., all vibratory or retractile movement of the typesin the type containing channels. WVe have elsewhere set forth the cause and effect of this backlash movement and described positive means for preventing the same; but such means are purely mechanical and afford an amount of resistance to the forwarding of the types which we desire to avoid, as well as the consequent wear upon the types themselves. WVe therefore in the present case construct the typechannels at or near their extremities which adjoin the type conduits and forwarder with one or more internal bends or protuberances in their side walls, whereby the types in the column are made to deviate slightly from perfect alignment in the channel in such manner 3 5 as to cause a slight resistance to the passage of the types in either direction, creating sufiicient friction to counteract all tendency to backlash or spring in the line of types already forwarded, while affording comparatively slight resistance to the action of the pusher.

We are aware that in Patent No. 18,175, issued to Alden, September 15, 1857, a typechannel is shown in which a lateral deviation in the body of the channel itself is forn1ed,and

5 we do not herein seek to claim such construction, the novelty in our construction being the contraction of the type-passage at one or more points for the purpose of effecting a de viation in the path of the types from the straight or central line of the channel. To still further contribute to this result, but

more especially for the purpose of counteract ing the tendency of the line of types to slide longitudinally in the channel while the latter is being handled or transferred, we form one or both of the side walls of the channels with transverse corrugations or otherwise slightly roughen their inner surfaces, so as to afford a frictional contact with the edges of the contained types which will tend constantly to oppose any change in position. By these simple means we obviate any tendency in the forwarded types, to interfere with or obstruct those which follow and increase the stability of the line as a whole. By dispensing with 55 the use of spring or other mechanical latches for this purpose we reduce the wear upon the type, while retaining the advantages of automatic action.

In this connection our invention also includes a comb pusher or forwarder, the individual teeth of which are formed of different lengths or degrees of projection, corresponding relatively to the particular thicknesses of the individual types which each is designed to forward. By this means each type may be forwarded an appropriate distance from the end of its conduit proportionate to its own thickness, and the relations of the last preceding type to the neXt succeeding type will be the same relatively for all the characters. Heretofore the pusher has forwarded all types alike and to a common line irrespective oftheir diversity in thicknesses, so that in order to obtain sufficient space for the descent of the thicker characters into the type-channel the thinner characters have necessarily been forwarded to such an extent as to leave an undue degree of space or play for the descent of succeeding types, thus admitting of 0 such thinner types turning axially within the channel before the pusher forwards them.

As heretofore constructed by us in our dupleX receiving-bank the conduit-plates have been placed back to back at opposed angles, 5 their upper extremities converging toward each other, and have been permanently attached to the frame, although their lower ends have in some cases been adjustable. In our present construction we arrange the conduit- :00 plates, which are struck up in sheet metal, so that they are vertical in position and sup shown and described.

port their opposite extremities between vertical shoulders in such manner that the plates may be readily inserted or withdrawn.

As the extremities of the conduit-floors enter into containing-channels, and thereby constitute a means of centralizing and holding the latter in position laterally upon the table, we design, in cases where the apparatus is to ac commodate several sizes of type-channels, 850., to make the conduit-plates in two sections, the upper one of the full width of largest type to be used and the lower plate to consist of one of a series of plates formed with conduits, the upper side walls of which coincide with and form continuations of the side walls of the upper plate, from which point said side walls converge to the size of the types and channels to be used. Thus by simply removing the upper and lower plates and substituting the appropriate plate for the lower and replacing the upper thereon the apparatus is adapted to a different size of type, it being understood that the channels in the receiving-plates are of the maximum width.

we are aware that in on r application, Serial No.156,60l,intermediate soctionswith converging walls are used upon the table of: the machine for connecting the typeconduits with typecontaining channels having type-passages of less width than those in the said conduit-plates; also that in A. Augustus Low s application,- Serial No. 159, 693, a combined reciprocating type receiver and forwarder is provided with a removable nozzle or lower section adapted to engage with and conduct types in like manner into a type containing channel formed with a type-passage of less width than that of the typeconduits in the receiver, and we therefore simply seek to cover herein the special construction and combination of parts The space between these vertical conduit-plates which is rendered necessary by the width and extent of motion of the doub1e-comb pusher underneath is utilized by us by forming or supporting therein a series of open space or odd sorts boxes or compartments, their position between the two divisions of the bank rendering them especially convenient and useful in distribution, especially for the reception of the numerous spaces always present in composition.

Our invention also includes the special means employed for binding the receivingplates together, consisting of adjustable bearings attached to the supporting-posts and ratchet-braces which support and lock the lat ter against backward movement.

Finally, our invention consists in forming the channel-supporting beds each in two sections, which are adjustable with relation to each other, for the purpose of adjusting the apparatus to differences in the lengths of the different series of channels used.

In the accompanying drawings only sufficient of the apparatus is shown to illustrate the special features of construction claimed in the present case, the general features of which are the same in construction and operation as those shown and described in our recent applications. Accommodation is shown for only a comparatively few channels, and the latter are shown of less length than in actual use.

Figure 1 is a plan upon a reduced scale illustrating the construction of our improved apparatus; Fig. 2, a longitudinal section of the same; Fig. 3, an elevation of the central portion of the same partially broken away to show one of the segmental gears for effecting the movement of the receiver-plate carriage. Fig. i is a horizontal section, full size, through opposite extremities of one of the conduitplatcs and adjoining parts of the frame. Fig. 5 is a front elevation, full size, of the opposite extremities of one of the conduit-plates provided with a movable lower section having converging side walls; Fig. 6, a vertical section, full size, through one of the conduitchannels and the inner extremity of one of the type-containing channels, illustrating the use of the concave extension of the conduit-floor. Fig. 7 is a plan, full size, of a portion of the pusher formed with teeth or forwarding-fingers of different lengths, the liner :0 indicating the position of the lower edges of the conduitfloors; also showing the adjoining extremities of the containing-channels and illustrating the use of both the curved and angular forms of type-cheek or lateral deviation in the line of the channels. Figs. 8 and 9 are longitudinal sections through portions of the containingchannels, illustrating the prepared frictional surface for assisting in maintaining the position of the type-columns. Fig. 10 is a plan of a receiver formed with converging radial depressions or grooves for guiding the types 1ongitudinallyinto the mouth of the conduit, and Fig. 11 a transverse section of the same upon plane of line 3/ 3 Fig. 10, looking toward the entrance of the type-passage. Fig. 12 is aview similar to Fig. 7, showing the preferable form olconstructing the side walls of the containingchannels for the purpose of preventing backlash.

In general construction and operation the apparatus is substantially the same as that described in our application, Serial No. 156,604, thereceiving-platesbeingsupporteduponacarriage, O, which may be reciprocated by means of a rack and pinion, the latter in the present case consisting of a segmental gear, 0, provided with a lever, 0, instead of the crank attachment before used.

The plates B are formed, preferably, from sheet metal, with the wide-mouthed receivers I), which conduct the types into the channels I) for transfer to the conduit-plates. The construction is substantially the same as heretofore, except that each receiver 1) is formed with a suitable number of corrugations, b", which converge toward the mouth of the passagesb for the purpose of guiding the types into the latter heel first. This construction will be readily understood by reference to Figs. and 11.

Five superimposed receivingplates are used in the present case for the purpose of affording wider receivingisurfaces, the width of five conduits thus being rendered available for this purpose. Thelower plate, as heretofore, rests upon a shelf or web, 0, connecting the two standards (1 G, from which project the posts D D, against which suitable shoulders formed upon all the plates rest, as in the application referred to. These posts D D are extended upward sufficiently above the plates to afford suitable means for attaching the adjustable presser-feet or binders E, by means of which the plates may be readily secured in positionupon their carriage O. The binders E consist of a lateral extension or foot, 0, attached to a sleeve or socket, c, which is attached to the post D by a set-screw, e", by means of which the foot 0 may be forced against the upper surface of the upper plate to lock the plates to gether.

The carriage O is supported in position at the rear by one or more ratchetbraees, R, which engage notches or teeth 1*, formed upon the rail 0 or other stationary part of the apparatus. This pawl has to be raised in order to retract the carriage and plates, but falls automatically into position during the forward movement of the carriage, preventing accidental movement, and, in conjunction with the buffer or stop f, firmly locking the carriage and insuring the proper relation of the receiving and conduit plates.

The forward position of the receivingplates is gaged with accuracy and the conduit-plates relieved from all danger of jar, &c., by the use of one or more adjustable buffers or stops, j, which receive the impact of the forward movement of the plateearriage 0. As shown in the drawings, the adjustable stop 1 consists of the slotted plate f, formed with the buffer-arm f and secured to a stationary part of the apparatus by set-screws f f, as shown in Fig. 3.

The construction may be varied more or less, the essential feature being an adjustable stop or buffer interposed between the conduitplate and the receiver-plate carriage.

The vertical conduit-plates G, which are formed from sheet metal struck up into the required shape, are supported between vertical shoulders h 11, formed in the uprights HH, secured rigidly to the frame-work of the ap paratus. The extremities of the conduit-plates rest loosely in the grooves formed between the shoulders h 71, so that the plates are free to be withdrawn vertically at any time.

When the apparatus is designed for a single size of type only, the conduit-plates may be made of a single piece of sheet metal; but when designed for use in connection with types of different sizes we make it in two sections, G and G the upper one, G, formed with conduits of the full width of the largest type to be used, while the lower section, G, is formed with conduits the side walls of which converge downward from the width of the largest type at top to the width of the smaller type for which itis especially designed at the bottom. Consequently a series of these lower plates with converging channels will be used in connection with each apparatus cor responding in number and minimum width to the various sizes of types to be accommodated.

By making the conduits of sheet metal shaped under hydraulic pressure their costis not only materially decreased, but they are also rendered more complete and uniform in construction as compared one with another, so that they may readily be interchanged or substituted without affecting the perfect working of the apparatus.

The lower extremity, g, of each conduit-floor extends down beyond the side walls, so as to project into the containing-channel underneath, and is either curved concavely or inclined outwardly, as shown in Fig. 6, for the double purpose of breaking or retarding the vertical fall of the type at and lowering it gently into the channel, as well as to remove the face of the last preceding types beyond the line of descent of the heel of the next succeeding type even though the pusher may not yet have forwarded the preceding type. This is illustrated in Fig. 6, the descending type being indicated by the dotted lines. In said Fig. 6 the types are represented in solid lines as situ ated just after the descent of the last type into position in the channel and preparatory to the advance of the pusher, under the action of which the whole column of type is forwarded a distance equivalent to the thickness of a single type, so that upon the retreat of the pusher a space of that capacity will be again afforded for the reception of the next succeeding type.

Since it is desirable that each type should be forwarded by the pusher P a distance equal only to about its thickness, in order to avoid all unnecessary space between the last type forwarded and the lower end of the type-conduit, we construct the pusher-fingers of dif ferent lengths, as shown in Fig. 7. Otherwise in construction and operation the pusher P is the same as that shown and described in our application, Serial No. 156,60l, last referred to. The length of each finger p is proportionate to the thickness of the particular type which it is designed to forward, as will be seen by reference to Fig. 7, in which the pusher is represented as having just completed the forwarding of the types in the channels Q. The linewa' represents the position of the lower edges of the conduit-floors, and it will be observed that the projection of the pusher-fingers beyond such line is in each channel equal to the thickness of the types contained therein. All

looseness and play at the point of transfer is thus avoided and all the types are subject to like conditions. This feature is of especial importance in securing and preserving the perfect alignment of the types in the containingchannels. The latter are also of special construction, being each, as shown in Figs. 7 and 12, formed with either a single or double lateral bend or angle, q. This is accomplished by bending the side walls laterally, so that they are parallel, as shown in Fig. 7, or the side walls may be bent inward at different points, as shown in Fig. 12, the object in either case being to break the line or cause it to deviate. This deviation from the right line of the channel'may be made ofgreater or less extent, as

desired, the essential feature being such an alteration in the line of the channel at or near its receiving end as shall subject the types to slightly more friction against the side walls than they encounter in the rest of the channel. By this means, while but slight resistance is offered to the action of the pusher, the types are supported against the backlash or retractile tendency which is apt to exist in a long column of type. The simplicity of the construction is also an ad vantage, all auxiliary attachments, &c., and undue pressure upon the type being avoided. One or both side walls of the type-channels Q are slightly corrugated or otherwise roughened upon the inner surface for the purpose of counteracting the tendency of the type line to move longitudinally in the channels while the latter are being transferred or otherwise handled. This construction is indicated at q in Figs. 7, 8, and 9.

In transferring the channels it is designed to incline them laterally, so that the types will all rest against the roughened surface q of the side wall. This construction also has a tendcncy to counteract all vibration or backs lash, and may in some cases be relied upon exclusively for this purpose, as with the types of largest size, both side walls being thus prepared for a portion of their length at or near the receiving end; but the greater portion of at least one side of the channel should in all cases be left free and smooth to facilitate the descent of the type when resting thereon in the setter-case.

Since the two eonduitplates G G", placed back to back, as heretofore, are necessarily placed some distance apart in order to accommodate the double reciprocating pusher P, their vertical position creates an intervening space which we utilize for the reception of a series of compartments, t 7;, which are supported upon a shelf, 1, or by other suitable means. These compartments constitute convenient receptacles for the reception of spaces, .odd sorts, at, not provided for in the conduit plates.

The conduit-plate G" upon the right side of the receiving-bank is provided with the cupplate or guard gZ-for facilitating the insertion of the types into the conduits'upon that side.

For the purpose of adapting the apparatus to series of channels of different length, we make each typechannel bed S in two sections,

S S which are made relatively adjustable by means of screws 88. The outer section, S", upon each side of the apparatus rests loosely upon the horizontal members of the frame T, and is provided with threaded lugs 3's, which engage the screws 3, secured to the lugs s 8 upon the stationary sections S, by means which will permit of the rotation of the screws by crank-keys or other actuating devices applied to their outer ends, .9 s, which are shouldered.

\Vhat we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a type-distributing apparatus substantially such as described, the combination, with the series of superposed receiving-plates and supportingcarriage, of the binders E, secured to and adjustable upon the supportingposts D, substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

2. In a type-distributing apparatus substantially such as designated, the combination, with a receiver-plate carriage mounted upon suitable parallel ways and adapted to he slid back and forth from or tea vertical conduitplate, of a pawl upon the said sliding carriage and an engaging stationary rack parallel to the said ways, for the purpose and substantially in the manner described.

3. In a type-distributing apparatus substantially such as described, the combination, with the vertical conduit-plate, of a frame provided with vertical ways for the reception and support ofthe ends of the said vertical conduit, for the purpose and substantially in the manner described.

4. In a typedistributing apparatus substantially such as designated, a reciprocatingcomb type forwarder formed with pusherteeth of different and prescribed lengths, for the purpose described, in combination with the type-containing channels and the conduitplate above, substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

5. In a typedistributing apparatus substantially such as designated, a type-containing channel formed with an internal bend or protuberance which contracts the type-passage upon one or both side walls, for the purpose and substantially in the manner de scribed.

6. In a type-distributing apparatus substantially such as designated, a type-contaim ing channel the side walls of which are each formed with an internal projection which contracts the type-passage, the said internal protuberance being formed at different points in the channel, but approximating each other, substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

7. In a typedistributing apparatus substantially such as designated, a type-channel one of the inner side walls of which is corrugated or otherwise roughened, for the purpose and substantially in the manner described.

8. In a typedistributing apparatus sub stantially such as designated, the combination, with the two vertical conduit-plates arranged which is adjustable with relation to the other, to substantially in the manner and for the purback to back, substantially as described, of an pose described.

LOUIS K. JOHNSON. A. AUGUSTUS LOW.

Witnesses:

GEO. W. MIATT, WM. GARDNER. 

